A U.S. Navy chief has been convicted of first-degree premeditated murder after fatally shooting her husband while he was on the phone with 911, Florida authorities confirmed.
A Tragic Turn of Events
Bree Kuhn, a 37-year-old mother of three and a chief petty officer at Naval Air Station Pensacola, was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison for the killing of her husband, Collin Turner, a retired Marine.
According to prosecutors, the fatal shooting occurred on September 8, 2021, at the couple’s home in Gulf Breeze, Florida. The couple had been arguing throughout the day, with Turner telling Kuhn he planned to leave and take their children to Georgia, as seen in Court TV footage of the trial.
Authorities were called to their residence multiple times that day due to the escalating dispute. Later that evening, Turner called 911 from the garage, stating that Kuhn had locked him out and was refusing to let him back inside.
The 911 Call That Captured the Crime
A deputy reviewing the 911 recording described Turner as sounding “calm” with no signs of an altercation in the background. However, moments later, a gunshot rang out.
When the dispatcher asked about the noise, Turner responded, “She just shot me.” Three more gunshots followed before the line fell silent, investigators reported.
Deputies arrived at the scene to find Turner suffering from four gunshot wounds. Kuhn admitted to shooting him.
The Defense’s Argument & The Trial’s Outcome
During the trial, Kuhn’s legal team argued that she was a battered spouse who feared for her children’s safety. Attorney Randy Etheridge said their defense strategy initially included testimony from both Kuhn and a psychologist, but Kuhn ultimately chose not to testify after watching a family member take the stand.
“As we go through this testimony, think to yourself—what kind of person calls the police to their house if they’re planning a premeditated murder?” Etheridge told the jury.
However, prosecutors countered that Turner was not a threat at the time of the shooting, as he had been locked in the garage. The jury ultimately found Kuhn guilty of first-degree premeditated murder, and on September 27, she was sentenced to life in prison according to Santa Rosa County records.
Turner’s Family Speaks Out
During the trial, Turner’s parents shared emotional testimonies about the loss of their son and the impact on his three young children.
“Determined to be there for every moment of his children’s childhood, he chose to retire early from the Marines,” said his mother, Tere Turner. “And now, because of Bree’s actions, he’s completely absent from their lives. His father also expressed his heartbreak, calling Turner “a loving son, brother, father, grandson, friend, and leader.”
After Fatally Shooting Husband During 911 Call
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